Photo of the Day

The Wheatsworth Mill

Built by Colonel Joseph Sharp in 1808 in Hamburg, New Jersey the "Old Mill" was originally owned and operated by the Uneeda Bakers who produced the whole wheat Uneeda Biscuit. The company was later purchased by the Wheatsworth Bakery company, which was again eventually purchased in 1898 by the ever growing National Biscuit Company who by that time was primarily running out of factories located in New York City. Over time the complex grew from just one stone mill to a small complex which also shared its property with the children's fun park, Gingerbread Castle.

However the National Biscuit Company consolidated their factories and moved their headquarters to East Hanover, New Jersey where they operate from today. After closing the factory doors for good, boarding up the windows a fire had gone through the main building in the early 1990's and gutted the factory. The main original "Old Mill" still sits out by the road next to the Wallkill River slowly rotting as another harsh winter is bound to hit and take another toll on the historic mill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can view an old postcard of the original "Old Mill" by clicking HERE.

Like a Castle on A Hill

 The Catskills were once a place for the extravagance of socialites, movie stars and everyday people looking for escape.  Now, most people come to the Catskills for camping or sightseeing, driving by the massive decaying relics of an era now gone. 

Back in the day the Western Catskills, otherwise known as the Borscht Belt catered to many up and coming comics from Red Buttons to Jerry Lewis. Celebrities tied the knot in some of the grander resorts of the area and great champs spent their time training at these world renowned facilities. 

One of the most notable of the Borscht Belt bungalows and resorts was the Grossinger’s Hotel, a sprawling resort located in Liberty, NY. Opened in 1919 by immigrant Jewish farmer Oleg Grossinger, the hotel started with one building which soon blossomed into a virtual town unto itself complete with their own post office and airstrip; it was the place to be. 

Jennie Grossinger, who ran the hotel when it was in its prime, rubbed elbows with the rich and famous of yesteryear from former First Lady of the Whitehouse Eleanor Roosevelt to the famed boxer Rocky Marciano who at one time trained exclusively at Grossinger’s.  Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fischer even tied the knot at the famed hotel, even though it would shortly come undone once Fischer laid eyes on the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor, from there, the rest is history.                    

By the time the 1970’s arrived, airfare had become inexpensive and the trend of destination vacations took off, leaving the Catskills behind.  Slowly all but one of the great Borscht Belt hotels began to close one after the other; The Grossinger’s closed their doors for good in 1986. Although the golf course still remains an attraction for many avid enthusiasts in the area, attempts to revive the great hotel have tried and failed in the past. 

 A new company that recently demolished the once noteworthy Concord Resort with plans to build a new and improved resort has also purchased Grossinger’s in hopes to revive the legend. But for now, it sits alone, like a forgotten castle on top of a hill slowly rotting away; its walls silent with memories.

For more information on the Grossingers click here.